How to recover data from Promise Vess A2600 NAS

Is your network drive gone, and you are wondering what to do? Has a RAID system crashed, and your files are no longer accessible? Does your device display an error while booting? Have you accidentally rebuilt your RAID system? Are several hard disks out of order?

Promise Vess A2600 NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from Vess A2600.

Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?

Conventional hard disks keep user’s data by writing it to their surface in a consecutive way, and this is how an entire file is stored on a single hard disk. However, when data is written to a RAID system, a file is divided into several parts. Then these parts are written consecutively to all hard disks within such array. The size of such parts may range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so each file is stored on several hard disks at the same time.

Such approach helps to speed up read and write operations, and it is evident that saving two parts of a file having the size of 1 GB to two hard disks simultaneously is much faster than saving the same 1 GB of data to one hard disk. However, this peculiarity makes file recovery more complicated.

Various RAID levels store information in different ways. Additionally, manufacturers like Promise also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.

Can a failed RAID rebuild process lead to data loss on NAS Promise Vess A2600 devices?

Yes, a failed RAID rebuild process can potentially lead to data loss on NAS Promise Vess A2600 devices. During a rebuild process, data from the remaining drives in the RAID array is used to reconstruct the data on the failed drive. If there are any issues or errors during this process, it can result in incomplete or incorrect data being written to the new drive, leading to data loss or corruption. It is always recommended to have a backup of your data before performing any RAID rebuild operations.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS Vess A2600 can be accessed over the network, you still need to take the hard disks out of the storage device and connect them to a Windows computer. Only in this case will the software be able to scan them properly. Here is what you should do:

  1. Turn off the storage and disconnect it from the power supply.

    WARNING! Before you start taking hard disks out of your NAS device, read the manual carefully. Incorrect actions may damage your network-attached storage and/or the hard disks within the RAID system.

  2. Take the hard disks out of the NAS one by one, carefully removing them from their slots. Remember that the disks are extremely vulnerable: hitting or dropping them may result in serious physical damage.

  3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

  4. Remove the hard disks and connect them to the computer. In this video, we have explored what ports are used to connect hard disks, and what to do if there are not enough ports or connectors.

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Promise Vess A2600. The hard disks that make up the RAID contain technical information about the algorithm used to save files. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery reads this information and puts the damaged array together. Then you can open the disk and save your files. Also, you can recover the files accidentally deleted from the network drive.

Vess A2600 has 16 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

  • RAID 0;
  • RAID 1;
  • RAID 1E;
  • RAID 3;
  • RAID 5;
  • RAID 6;
  • RAID 30;
  • RAID 50;
  • RAID 60;
  • JBOD;

NAS supports:

  • exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
  • NTFS / ReFS;
  • APFS / HFS+;
  • Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
  • VMFS / HikvisionFS;

Safe recovery from disk images

This utility lets you save an entire copy of the disk to file and then work with this image instead of the actual disk. Such feature helps to protect data on the disk from:

  • Overwriting during the recovery process;
  • Loss resulting from bad sectors;
  • User mistakes.

To create an image, do the following:

  1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

  2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu ToolsSave Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

  3. When the image creation wizard starts, you can choose to save the entire disk or select only a part of it. Specify the parameters and click Next.

  4. At this stage, you need to choose a directory where to save the image. Choose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP.

Where are user’s files stored?

The Promise Vess A2600 network-attached storage keeps OS Linux operating system files on a separate RAID 1 (mirrored) array. Usually, all NAS systems create several volumes on every hard disk, and the first of them takes up to 2 Gb of space. This is where operating system files are stored. Other volumes are united into a RAID array where user’s data is written.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery

Product Operating system License type RAID controller support Supported file systems Virtual RAID controller support Data recovery from damaged RAID File preview
Hetman RAID Recovery Windows Paid Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
DiskInternals RAID Recovery Windows Paid Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
R-Studio Windows, Mac, Linux Paid Yes, over 200 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery Windows, Mac, Linux Paid Yes, over 1,000 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
EaseUS Data Recovery Windows Paid Yes, over 20 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery Windows Free Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes

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We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (3) #

  • If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS Vess A2600, feel free to leave a comment!

  • Clifford Warnock 7.09.2023 18:53 #

    Is it possible to recover data from a NAS Promise Vess A2600 device if the device is experiencing frequent disconnections or network errors?

    • Hetman Software 7.09.2023 20:00 #

      It is possible to recover data from a NAS Promise Vess A2600 device even if it is experiencing frequent disconnections or network errors. However, the success of data recovery depends on the specific issue causing the disconnections or errors.

      If the problem is related to network connectivity, you may try troubleshooting the network issues first. Ensure that all network cables are securely connected, check the network settings on the device, and verify that the network infrastructure is functioning correctly.

      If the frequent disconnections or network errors are due to hardware failure or other issues with the NAS device itself, it is recommended to contact Promise Technology support for assistance. They can provide guidance on troubleshooting steps or recommend professional data recovery services if necessary.

      In any case, it is always advisable to have regular backups of your important data to avoid data loss situations.

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

What are the key features and capabilities of the NAS Promise Vess A2600 that make it suitable for use as a database server?

The NAS Promise Vess A2600 is a high-performance storage solution that offers several key features and capabilities that make it suitable for use as a database server:

  1. High storage capacity: The Vess A2600 can accommodate up to 24 hard drives, providing a large storage capacity for database files and backups. This allows for the storage of large amounts of data, which is essential for database servers.
  2. High performance: The Vess A2600 is equipped with powerful processors, ample memory, and high-speed connectivity options such as SAS and SSDs. This ensures fast data access and retrieval, which is crucial for efficient database operations.
  3. RAID support: The Vess A2600 supports various RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60. RAID technology provides data redundancy and improves performance, ensuring data integrity and availability in case of drive failures.
  4. Scalability: The Vess A2600 is designed to be easily scalable, allowing users to add more drives or expand storage capacity as their database requirements grow. This flexibility ensures that the server can adapt to changing needs without significant disruption.
  5. Data protection and backup: The Vess A2600 offers built-in data protection features such as snapshot and replication capabilities. Snapshots allow for point-in-time copies of data, while replication enables data to be synchronized with another Vess system for backup purposes. These features ensure data integrity and provide options for disaster recovery.
  6. High availability: The Vess A2600 supports dual active-active controllers, ensuring high availability and minimizing downtime. In the event of a controller failure, the other controller seamlessly takes over, ensuring continuous access to the database.
  7. Advanced management and monitoring: The Vess A2600 comes with a user-friendly management interface that allows for easy configuration, monitoring, and management of the storage system. It also provides comprehensive monitoring and reporting tools to track system performance and identify any potential issues.

Overall, the NAS Promise Vess A2600 offers the necessary features and capabilities to serve as a reliable and high-performance database server, providing fast data access, scalability, data protection, and high availability.

How does the NAS Promise Vess A2600 ensure data reliability and integrity when used as a database server?

The NAS Promise Vess A2600 ensures data reliability and integrity when used as a database server through several mechanisms:

  1. RAID Technology: The Vess A2600 supports various RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and 50. These RAID configurations provide data redundancy by distributing data across multiple drives, allowing for recovery in case of drive failures. This ensures that even if one or more drives fail, the database server can continue to operate without data loss.
  2. Hot-Swappable Drives: The Vess A2600 allows for hot-swapping of drives, meaning that failed drives can be replaced without shutting down the system. This minimizes downtime and ensures continuous availability of the database server.
  3. Data Scrubbing: The Vess A2600 performs regular data scrubbing, which involves checking the integrity of data stored on the drives. It detects and corrects any errors or inconsistencies, ensuring that the data remains reliable and accurate.
  4. Snapshot and Replication: The Vess A2600 supports snapshot and replication features, allowing for the creation of point-in-time copies of the database. These snapshots can be used for data backup and recovery purposes, ensuring that even in the event of data corruption or accidental deletion, a previous version of the database can be restored.
  5. Data Protection Features: The Vess A2600 offers various data protection features, such as write cache protection, which safeguards data in the event of power failures or system crashes. It also supports UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) integration to ensure continuous power supply and prevent data loss.
  6. Data Encryption: The Vess A2600 supports data encryption, which ensures that sensitive data stored in the database remains secure and protected from unauthorized access.

Overall, the combination of RAID technology, hot-swappable drives, data scrubbing, snapshot and replication features, data protection mechanisms, and data encryption ensures data reliability and integrity when the NAS Promise Vess A2600 is used as a database server.

Can the NAS Promise Vess A2600 be easily integrated with popular database management systems such as MySQL or Microsoft SQL Server?

Yes, the NAS Promise Vess A2600 can be easily integrated with popular database management systems such as MySQL or Microsoft SQL Server. The Vess A2600 supports iSCSI and Fibre Channel protocols, which are commonly used for connecting storage systems to database servers. This allows for seamless integration and efficient data transfer between the database management systems and the Vess A2600.